Pipelines, people, places and prices

The 4 P’s of keeping your business activities in balance: pipelines, people, places and prices. Each one of these P’s requires your consistent and careful attention. Without a filled pipeline, you will constantly be looking for new clients. Without connecting with people, no one will know or care who you are. Without visiting the right places, you could miss exciting opportunities and you could experience monotony. Without appropriate pricing you could be losing money and/or clients.

Pipelines. Marketing is a verb; meaning an action and when it’s done consistently, it produces results. There are a wide variety of ways to incorporate small marketing tasks that will add up to big results. Refine your marketing message so that it speaks directly to your target audience. Ensure your product or services solve an identified pain point. Clearly communicate your marketing message on your website, blog and social media networks. Keep it fresh. Update your offers and promotions at least, quarterly. Never stop marketing. Staying top of mind ensures potential clients remember your name first when the need for your product or services arises.

People. It takes about 7 touches before a client makes a sale. Develop an effective follow-up system with potential clients. (i.e. 1-day, 3-days, 14-days, 21-days and then monthly newsletter or announcement). Despite the social media wave, there is still a lot of value in face-to-face meetings. Create a personal touch that is unique to you and your customer experience.

Places. Step away from the desk. You can’t get refreshed by doing the same activities and looking at the same four walls day in and day out. Get out and visit local businesses and explore new relationships. Change your routine and experience diverse perspectives by venturing into new geographical areas and seeing people and places you don’t normally visit.

Learn more about recent trends in your industry by connecting with your local professional and trade associations. Attend a trade show in your area or region and seek out new opportunities and markets.

Prices. When was the last time you gave yourself a raise? A raise is always possible regardless of the economy. Consider raising your prices. You might lose a few clients due to the price increase, but you’ll actually be able to give each client more attention, and make more while working less. Market your services to a target market that is recession proof. Do a SWOT analysis and figure out how to service more people at one time for less money (i.e. speaking, ebooks, memberships, teleseminars, etc.)

BONUS: Practice makes Perfect.

Be sure to spend a little time developing the 4 P’s of fundamental business activities. Each one will ensure your business practices are solid and provide you with some of the necessary discipline for growing your business.

Need help reviewing and organizing the fundamentals of your 4 P’s? consider Micro Business Therapy. It’s common sense, practical and realistic. Don’t forget… we want to hear from you. Share your comments and questions below! To address your specific concerns, Skype me: amichelleblakeley or email me at info@simplicitymastered.com

WANT TO RE-POST THIS ARTICLE ON YOUR BLOG OR USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, E-NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You may, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

For over 18 years, Simplicity Mastered™ founder and CEO A. Michelle Blakeley has owned or managed small businesses and nonprofit organizations. Expert in her field, Blakeley personally guides her clients out of their Business Brain Freeze™ to streamline operations, increase return on investment, and attain quantifiable results. Forbes.com and FinancialPost.com each recommended her as one of 30 Women Entrepreneurs to Follow on Twitter, joining the experts who know that Blakeley is a master at growing small businesses … and doing it with “Simplicity.”

 

 

What happens when you take your own advice (Part III)

This is Part III of a four-part series on “what happens when you take your own advice.” (Part I, Part II ). In the middle of a re-brand of my existing business, my husband and had the opportunity to open a fine art gallery (see www.evolvethegallery.com). To minimize the disruption to my existing business and maintain my clients’ needs, I relied heavily on my established systems and the same tips, tools and techniques I encourage my clients to use. Including:

Collaboration with complementary businesses is a must. A great way to collaborate with other businesses is to have them contribute to and sponsor your event. They get the exposure and you get the added help, product or service. You always want to enhance the value of what you are providing your clients. Look for hidden and creative opportunities in your local communities.

There is a small movie theater (The Guild Theater) across the street from our gallery. As part of our inaugural opening, we wanted to show movies that went with the theme of our show. The movie theater was looking for new ways to draw traffic and increase their presence in the community and we needed a cost-effective way to provide film-screenings. We invited the manager over for a tour of the galley and discussed the benefits of collaborating. It was a win-win. So much so, they offered to do the film screenings every Friday for a month at no cost to us and we did the same by offering the screenings to our guests at no cost. Yes, free double-feature film screenings for a whole month (and access to the theater for two complimentary panel discussions on Saturdays to boot! How’s that for collaborating and keeping it local!)

Never underestimate the power of 6 degrees of separation. Connections can put a business on the map quicker and faster than “word of mouth.” Everybody knows somebody who can help somebody. Through six degrees of separation, we were honored to have philanthropists, museum curators, the Mayor and a Senator either attend our private preview reception or come by for a private tour. In addition, when we attended a book signing and discussion at the Thelma Harris Gallery, we met fine art Master, Richard Mayhew, and Bernard and Shirley Kinsey (whose personal art collection is now on exhibit at the Smithsonian). During our due diligence, we visited many galleries to see how other owners operated, looked for ways to distinguish ourselves, ways to collaborate, yielded wisdom from the experts, acknowledged their mistakes and made some good friends along the way. Thelma was kind enough to welcome us into the industry with open arms; which included introductions to art legends. The Kinsey’s are the ones who advised us to contact Senator Price’s office (see Part II).

On the day after one of our panel discussion we received a beautiful book reflecting 38 phenomenal years ofBen F. Jones creative works. There was no note, just the autographed book and a business card. When we called Ben to thank him and find out how he had heard about us, he simply said he read about our opening in a blog (The Black Art Project). After a delightful conversation, needless to say, we were humbly honored and floored. The Internet has made it a small world and you never know who knows who.

Always capture your leads, follow-up and keep in touch. Every business should have a platform for engaging and capturing leads. This could be a sign-up for newsletter box, link to a landing page, CRM system or even a link to your Facebook fanpage. For live events, it could be a registration sheet, sign-in sheet or guest book. Don’t pass up the opportunity to introduce potential clients to your product or services, share upcoming events, specials, etc. via newsletter, e-blasts and online updates. Staying top of mind is crucial. People want to know “what’s next?” and “what’s new?” CAVEAT: Do not overburden new clients and your connections with unnecessary emails and updates. It is a major turn-off and you will soon see your numbers decrease instead of increase. Be relevant, informative and resourceful.

To date, the gallery has been extremely well received in the community and we continue to be amazed at how fast the word is spreading and the wonderful people we are meeting. However, now that the “fanfare” of the grand opening has worn off, it’s time for the real work to begin; the work of maintaining and sustaining a business. There is no way I could have opened a second business without having functional systems in place with my existing business; Simplicity Mastered. The chaos and confusion would have been insurmountable and I would risk losing my clients.

Never underestimate the power of Simplicity. When your operations are organized and streamlined, it makes it easier to introduce new products/services and test new ideas. It helps you manage information and stay focused on your priorities and objectives. It also makes stepping away, less disruptive.

There’s a reason why my business is called Simplicity Mastered. There is a reason why I specialize in simplifying business processes. Owning a business doesn’t have to be hard. But it does need to be functional and productive. And it needs to be effective, efficient and done smart. There is a reason why overwhelmed and frustrated business owners call me to help them be mentally and intellectually organized to grow. I keep things practical, realistic and utilize existing resources. At some point, you have to put knowledge to work and startdoing. You are responsible for your business; the good, the bad and the ugly. It will grow or fail by your action or inaction. Make a commitment to make better business decisions today. That includes asking for help. We could not have accomplished all that we have without asking for help.

Next week, I will share with you some of my “silly mistakes,” “brain freezes” and “forget me NOTs.” NOTE: I never said the opening of a second business went off without a hitch. ☺

If you need help NOW! Get help here

WANT TO RE-POST THIS ARTICLE ON YOUR BLOG OR USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, E-NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You may, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

For over 18 years, Simplicity Mastered™ founder and CEO A. Michelle Blakeley has owned or managed small businesses and nonprofit organizations. Expert in her field, Blakeley personally guides her clients out of their Business Brain Freeze™ to streamline operations, increase return on investment, and attain quantifiable results. Forbes.com and FinancialPost.com each recommended her as one of 30 Women Entrepreneurs to Follow on Twitter, joining the experts who know that Blakeley is a master at growing small businesses … and doing it with “Simplicity.”

11 Friends You Haven’t Met; But Need to Know

We all talk about collaborating to expand our business and generate more leads. How often do you actually do it? We all talk about connecting and cultivating relationships. How often do you take the time to have dialogue?

I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you some friends who could truly make a difference in your business. These women are professional, insightful and inspiring.

Collectively, they can provide you with a wide variety of assistance and resources for your business including: creating and perfecting your elevator pitch, human resources, cultural diversity, sales and marketing, lifestyle, branding, non-profit/community engagement, networking, social media, beauty and lifestyle.

1. Barbara Lopez with Brightfarm Introductions – Barbara masterfully helps you create an introduction to your business that reflects your specialty and your personality. Her capacity to ensure that your introductions are fresh and memorable is exceptional.
2. Deena Pierott with Mosaic Blueprint – Deena has a connection for whatever ails your business. Although she is a cultural diversity expert, her vast and dynamic social network of women, urban entrepreneurs and corporations is built on collaboration.
3. Ayesha Mathews-Wadhwa with PixInk – You are your brand and Ayesha’s brand development ensures that your brand identity and personal values are not only in sync but clear and well defined. Her brand cultivation genius helps discover what makes you unique.
4. Natalie MacNeil with She Takes On the World – Home of all things “women entrepreneur.” Natalie features successful women entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship articles, valuable resources, and a free directory for women-owned businesses. She has received numerous awards and mentions for her work and blog content and is a constant source of fresh ideas and encouragement.
5. Sylvia Browder with Browder Consulting – Sylvia empowers women to achieve success through entrepreneurship. In addition to running her own consulting practice, she volunteers as a SCORE counselor and provides women entrepreneurs with the resources and tools they need for continued success. Her support for women entrepreneurs is personal and heartfelt.
6. Adrienne Graham with Empower Me! and Fearless Networking. This power broker provides a variety of platforms that enable women to maximize the value in their networks and connections. Adrienne is all about the power and empowerment of women entrepreneurs and the author of “Go Ahead Talk to Strangers: A Modern Day Guide to Fearless Networking.”
7. Yolanda Webb with E’Lon Beauty – Yolanda publishes an amazing and unique online beauty magazine. Her magazine not only presents all that is beautiful on the outside, but her publication also nurtures the inside beauty of all women.
8. Patricia Weber with Professional Strategies – Pat is the consummate sales coach for introverts. She understands the anxiety and apprehension introverts have in operating their business and skillfully coaches them through practical communication, sales and networking techniques.
9. Jacintha Perrera with Island Getaways – This is not a “fly by night” travel service. Jacintha is a travel expert specializing in South Pacific getaways and special interest retreats. Her customized travel expeditions are once in a lifetime experiences. Be sure to check out her travel blog and virtual tours. When you need to getaway, you need to contact Jacintha.
10. Crystal Martin with Crystalwashington.com – Crystal is a social media and social networking guru. Her simple tips and tools will get you up to speed with effective and efficient marketing strategies that will enhance your capacity to meet and acquire appropriate clients.

Please take some time to explore their sites and introduce yourself. I’m sure each of them will welcome you into their fold with a warm smile and kind word.

WANT TO RE-POST THIS ARTICLE ON YOUR BLOG OR USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, E-NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You may, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

A.Michelle Blakeley is the Founder and CEO of Simplicity, Inc.; a progressive small business development firm. She manages her clients’ business expectations and prevents information overload via Micro Business Therapy™ and Micro Business Action Plans. She is featured in Forbes.com and the Financial Post as one of 30 Women Entrepreneurs to Follow on Twitter, the host of Simple Truths for Women Entrepreneurs on BlogTalkRadio.com and author of the NEW e-book: “Get it Right and Move Along… a collection of practical tips, tools and techniques for small business owners.”

How to Gain Access to the Wisdom of Business Leaders

Why is it so hard for business owners to ask for help? Is it because we don’t want to appear dependant, unknowledgeable, incapable, etc.? According to the SBA, an estimated 627,200 new employer firms began opera- tions in 2008, and 595,600 firms closed that year. This amounts to an annual turnover of about 10 percent for entry and 10 percent for exit. Non-employer firms have turnover rates three times as high as those of employer firms, mostly because of easier entry and exit conditions. There is a whole list of reasons why the businesses don’t survive. However, how many of those businesses failed because the business owner didn’t know how, when or refused to ask for help?

We fail our clients and ourselves when we fail to know when and how to ask for help. As business owners, we are expected to make mistakes. The greatest and most successful business owners have made hundreds of them. But, I can assure you they also knew how and when to ask for help. We read business books about them.

Take conscious ownership of your business and discover new and creative ways to refresh your business by accessing the wisdom of business leaders. The best inspiration comes from people who have been where you are, traveled a similar path and have made a success of their business.  Here’s how you can gain access to the wisdom of business leaders:

1.     Research who the “movers and shakers” are in your community, industry or network. These are people you admire, have large spheres of influence and/or are eagerly pursued.

2.     Select 10 “movers and shakers” you would like to engage in a conversation. Ask them for 10 minutes of their time. You call could sound like this: “I am new to this business/I am looking to strengthen my business practices. I know you don’t know me, and I am not trying to sell you. I admire what you have accomplished in your business/community. I was hoping that I could have 10 minutes of your time for an interview. Would you, as a leader in the _____ industry/community, tell me what I should do to earn the right to do business/collaborate with people just like you?”  Remember, this is not a “sales opportunity.” This is simply an opportunity for you to elicit valuable information from someone who has been where you are and could help you get to where you want to be. Be sure to let them know up front that you are not going to try to sell them anything. You merely want ten minutes. Be respectful of their time, be prepared and be sure to limit your call or conversation to your requested ten minutes.

3.     Most important, follow up with each of them and THANK them for their time. Send each person a personalized thank you note. Ask if they would mind if you kept in touch. If they say yes, DO IT. Send them a note periodically or call and check-in. Don’t overburden them with emails, calls or information.

You would be very lucky to get ten minutes of an important person’s time. However, they may just be the most important and valuable ten minutes of your business’ life. It is well worth the effort to make contact. You never know what opportunity may arise from your introduction, conversation or relationship.

Nobody will ever be what they should be until they start doing what they should be doing. If you are overwhelmed, stagnate, consumed with or unsure of which direction to take your business in, ask for help. Seasoned, savvy and experienced business owners are generally open to sharing their pitfalls and “lessons learned.” Their wisdom could be your lifesaver. Know when enough is enough and get the help you need to keep you and your business IN business.

SBA SOURCE: http://www.sba.gov/advo/stats/sbfaq.pdf

WANT TO RE-POST THIS ARTICLE ON YOUR BLOG OR USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, E-NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You may, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

A.Michelle Blakeley is the Founder and CEO of Simplicity, Inc.; a progressive small business development firm. She manages her clients’ business expectations and prevents information overload via Micro Business Therapy™ and Micro Business Action Plans. She is featured in Forbes.com and the Financial Post as one of 30 Women Entrepreneurs to Follow on Twitter and the host of Simple Truths for Women Entrepreneurs on BlogTalkRadio.com.

5 Critical Elements to an Effective Collaboration

Successful businesses are built on collaborations; functional collaborations. No business can survive without establishing and developing powerful relationships with like-minded business owners. Even the most marketable products and services need outside forces and influences to reach their target market and achieve optimum sales results.

However, there is a method to developing effective collaborations. You simply cannot connect, partner and venture into business with any business. Whether you are a solopreneur or have a small staff, your ability to effectively create collaborations is crucial to your business success. You need to know who to connect with, what value you each bring to the table, what are the terms and how will you keep the communication lines open.

Here are 5 ways to ensure your collaborations are effective and meaningful:

1.     Power partner: Select business owners who have products or services that compliment yours and have the client base you are looking for. Their mindset, motivations, visions and business practices should also be compatible with yours. Don’t be afraid to approach someone who is already at your next level. If your product or service is strong enough, it could be an opportunity for you to expand.

2.     Determine the value and incentives: Know what you can and can’t bring to the table. Know what is expected of you and what you expect of your partner(s). Determine the benefits of the collaboration and are they aligned with your values. Never sacrifice the integrity of your business for a sale.

3.     Spell it out in black and white: Collaborations really should be in writing. Having your terms and agreement in writing will help eliminate any misunderstandings or miscommunications. Knowing who is responsible for what will set the boundaries of your relationship.

4.     Client sharing and management (follow-up): You want to expand your client base while maintaining your identity. Remain separate, but equal. How are referrals handled? What is the process for contacting referrals? Is there a referral fee involved? It’s okay to share client databases; but be sure you have an established follow-up system for handling each other’s clients. Your clients should receive and expect the same quality and level of service from your partner.

5.     Communication: Be sure to schedule regular meetings to review your collaborative relationships, make necessary adjustments and outline growth strategies.

It’s important to remember that in collaborations, your partner’s success depends on your success and vice versa. Having a formal collaborative partnership could make all the difference for your business. No business owner is an island. Savvy business owners and entrepreneurs know when to ask for help and know how to leverage their product or services.

WANT TO RE-POST THIS ARTICLE ON YOUR BLOG OR USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, E-NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You may, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

A.Michelle Blakeley is the Founder and CEO of Simplicity, Inc.; a progressive small business development firm. She manages her clients’ business expectations and prevents information overload via Micro Business Therapy™ and Micro Business Action Plans. She is featured in Forbes.com and the Financial Post as one of 30 Women Entrepreneurs to Follow on Twitter and the host of Simple Truths for Women Entrepreneurs on BlogTalkRadio.com.

The Ultimate Source for Information AND Inspiration for Women Entrepreneurs

Ladies please MARK YOUR  CALENDARS and DON’T MISS the new Blogtalkradio show Simple Truths for Women Entrepreneurs MONDAY, February 15^th @ 3pm(PST) This month’s show topic is Grow Yourself to Grow Your Business with special guest Melinda Emerson (“The Small Biz Lady”) of #smallbizchat. Join five intriguing, insightful and well-informed women entrepreneur panelists from all across the country as we talk about all things small business. (Think Oprah meets The View) – only we’ll be talking about women-in-business stuff!) 
I’d love it if you listened in and/or joined in the conversation – after all, it’s FOR women BY women just like you! Here’s where you can learn more about the panelists and special guest and get info on how to listen in: http://ow.ly/13elZ Hope to hear you on the call!

A.Michelle Blakeley is the Founder and CEO of Simplicity, Inc.; a progressive small business development firm. She manages her clients’ business expectations and prevents information overload via Micro Business Therapy™ and Micro Business Action Plans. She is featured in Forbes.com as one of 30 Women Entrepreneurs to Follow on Twitter and the host of Simple Truths for Women Entrepreneurs on BlogTalkRadio.com.

Your Time is Valuable, Network the Smart Way

With so many social networking sites and events to attend, it is difficult to know which ones will bring you the most value. Not all groups and networks are the same and to help grow your business, you’ll want to be connected to more than one. However, time is money and you can’t afford to aimlessly attend networking events or spend valuable hours online. Before you attend your next networking function or sign-up for that new social networking site, set some ground rules for yourself. Know what it is you need and expect in return from your participation.

Each networking group may offer you something another does not. The more you know and understand your needs as well as well as your clients needs, the faster you can recognize real opportunities to connect and make a sale. Be prepared to not only connect with potential clients, but with potential power partners (businesses that provide complimentary products or services) as well.

Consistency in attendance and contribution is key for ensuring people have an opportunity to get to know you, what you have to offer and how they can help you.  For online venues, make sure your profile is updated regularly, contribute to discussions and reach out to participants. For live venues, always be prepared with business cards, offer to meet for coffee or a conference call to continue your discussions and learn more about each other; and keep in touch.

1. Participants – Know beforehand if there will be potential clients (those that match your client profile) in attendance. For online venues, are the members geographically located near you and does that matter? How many leads or referrals can you anticipate from your networking efforts per month? Just as important as potential clients is connecting with potential collaborative business partners. You can find this out ahead of time by reviewing the membership roll or directory.
2. Opportunities – Know beforehand how many will be in attendance or how many are members? For live venues, will there be an opportunity for you to give your elevator pitch or speak to the group? Also, are the same people showing up each week or month? Is the group stagnate or constantly looking for ways to grow and expand? For online venues, do they include platforms that will allow you to directly connect with potential clients and collaborative business (i.e. live chat, IM, etc.)? Depending on the amount of potential clients and collaborative partners, you will need to determine how much time you have to devote to connecting and cultivating relationships with members.
3. Benefits – is there a membership fee? Take advantage of the free trials; but use them when you have an adequate amount of time to really go through and utilize the site. Find out about all of the member benefits. You need to be able to justify the membership fee with the likelihood of generating actual sales. You should track your conversion rates as well for benchmarking purposes. In addition, do they allow for corporate sponsorships for increased exposure? For online venues, can you cross-promote or advertise your business on their website? Does the networking group promote referrals to members?
4. Time – For live venues, when, where and how often do they meet? How will that affect your current workload? Online venues are generally more flexible with time. You can log-on at your convenience. However, again, consistency in regards to your presence and participation is imperative.

Get back to basics and focus on the fundamentals of operating your business. Ensure your business tasks and activities are revenue generating or conducive to the growth of your business.

 

http://amichelleblakeley.wordpress.com/

Small Business Tidbits…

 

• Do what you do best and contract or hire out for the things you don’t. 
• Get the most out of your business cards… NEVER leave home without them. 
• When you give a card, ask for a card. 
• STOP cold calling… Get out and network. It’s always better to present yourself and your business in person. Be prepared, be professional, and be open to cultivating new relationships.